Lifelines (Fall 2001) - Board Member Spotlight: Frank Jordan

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Frank Jordan

	BCP Board member Frank Jordan

To the public, he is often referred to as the former mayor of San Francisco. But to those who personally know Frank Jordan, he is probably better known for his life-long career in community service. Frank’s many active roles in the Bay Area are a testament to his belief in and dedication to serving the community.

Among one of the things Frank strongly believes in is blood donation. Frank has served on the BCP board of directors for the past four years. “At that time, I knew Bernice Hemphill (former BCP president) and Bruce Spaulding (former BCP board member) through my work as mayor,” said Frank. “And Bruce had called and asked me to serve on the board. Since then, I’ve continued to serve the BCP community and consider it a special privilege to be able to do so.”

Frank finds his work on the BCP board gratifying. “It’s rewarding to visit volunteers at the blood center and shake their hands,” said Frank, a father of three sons. “I also enjoy working with highly dedicated people who, in an unassuming way, show they care.” Frank was also a blood donor until he was deferred. “I had donated blood in the past,” he said. “But in the last few years I was disappointed that I could not give.”

Born and raised in San Francisco, Frank went to Sacred Heart High School and holds a degree in political science and government from the University of San Francisco (USF). He also holds a teaching credential from the University of California. It took Frank 13 determined years to get his degree. “I was in the police force for 33 years and had to juggle time between work, married life and school,” said Frank, who rose through the ranks to eventually become the Chief of the San Francisco Police Department, appointed by then mayor, Dianne Feinstein. “Depending on my work, I sometimes had to take night school and day school or even drop-out occasionally. But in the end I got my degree!”

Frank lives by the slightly modified quote, “You make a living by what you get. But you make a life by what you give.” This seems to explain why he is a member of boards of the Salvation Army, the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club, the University of San Francisco McLaren School of Business and the Center for Pacific Rim, Southeast Asian Studies.

Frank served as mayor of San Francisco from 1992 to 1996. He is currently working as Special Advisor to the President of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a multi-billion dollar charitable foundation, formed in November 2000, that focuses on higher education, conservation, science and environment. Frank also finds the time to give guest lectures at his alma maters, USF and Sacred Heart High School.

Despite his busy schedule, Frank also finds time to spend time with his family. “I like to stay close to my family,” said Frank, happily married for 10 years. “We share our experiences and take the time to travel around the country.”

Of his community-service work, Frank abides by another quote. “I live by Albert Schweitzer’s, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve,” said Frank. “I find true satisfaction in giving back to the community and will continue contributing and helping others.”